Animal health

FAO's role in animal health

The link between human and animal populations, and the surrounding environment, is particularly close in developing regions where animals provide transportation, draught power, fuel, clothing, high-quality proteins (meat, eggs and milk) and source of income. Therefore, animal health is a core element for sustainable development and livestock production. 

As changes in livestock production increase the potential for new pathogens to emerge, grow and spread from animals to humans, healthy animals are closely related to healthy people and a healthy environment. Through the One Health approach, FAO contributes to improving animal health to make livestock production more productive and sustainable while achieving optimal health for all at the human-animal-environment interface.

Areas of work
Stories
Interactive story
Avian influenza: Inside the fight against a global threat

The current high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak is an unprecedented crisis, demanding an urgent, science-driven response.

stories
The Screwworm menace affecting animals and threatening humans in Senegal
Events

19/2

2026

19/02/2026

The upcoming webinar will focus on the strategic, practical, and operational role of veterinarians in strengthening biosecurity across animal health systems. With increasing pressure from transboundary, emerging, and endemic animal diseases...

18/2

2026

18/02/2026

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will host a global webinar to officially launch the Mpox case detection in animals - A guide to epidemiological and laboratory investigations, a new technical resource...

Publications
FAO alert on increased avian influenza risk during Lunar New Year poultry movements in Asia
02/2026

FAO calls for heightened vigilance and preparedness for avian influenza (AI) during the Lunar New Year festivities across Asia in the week of 15 February...

Sheep pox and goat pox – A field manual for veterinarians
01/2026

This field manual provides veterinarians and animal health professionals with clear, practical guidance for the early detection, control and prevention...

Considerations for competent authorities and livestock industries on use of African swine fever vaccines (Genotype II) to enhance disease control
01/2026

Once confined to sub-Saharan Africa, African swine fever (ASF) has now become a global panzootic, threatening food security, livelihoods, international...

Increased risk of high pathogenicity avian influenza introduction and spread in Africa
12/2025

FAO calls for heightened surveillance and preparedness for avian influenza (AI) during the period from December to March. Given the ongoing situation...

Improving poultry health and productivity - Practical training materials for veterinarians and farmers for better farm management
12/2025

This volume is part of a broader series that also addresses other major production systems and livestock species, including dairy cattle, beef cattle,...

Progressive pathway for emergency preparedness - Self-assessment user guide 2025
12/2025

The Progressive pathway for emergency preparedness (PPEP) self-assessment user guide is a comprehensive guide that helps national authorities evaluate...

Improving dairy cattle health and productivity - Practical training materials for veterinarians and farmers for better farm management
12/2025

This highly visual set of training materials focuses on core farm-level practices known to impact animal health and production outcomes, such as colostrum...

Stepwise Approach for the Progressive Control of Brucellosis (SAPCB) - A resource to support brucellosis prevention, control and elimination
11/2025

The Stepwise Approach for the Progressive Control of Brucellosis (SAPCB) provides a One Health framework, principles and strategies for countries to...

FAO calls for action to strengthen Rift Valley fever preparedness across Africa
11/2025

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a vector-borne viral disease endemic to many African countries, posing significant risks to human health, animals, and livestock....

FAO alerts countries in North Africa, West Asia and Caucasus to enhance preparedness for foot-and-mouth disease SAT1
11/2025

The foot-and-mouth disease serotype SAT1, originally confined in sub-Saharan Africa but confirmed in Iraq earlier this year is suspected to have spread...

Videos
Update from FAO, WOAH and the OFFLU on latest initiatives for avian influenza prevention and control
13/02/2026

Avian influenza (AI) remains a major global challenge for poultry production, trade, wildlife, livelihoods and public health. The spread of AI into...

Beyond the manual: A holistic approach to biosecurity implementation through WABA, SOPs, information
04/02/2026

This series explores how biosecurity can be consistently and sustainably implemented across educational, institutional, and field settings, contributing...

Rift Valley Fever Early Warning Decision Support Tool (RVF DST)
10/12/2025

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a climate-sensitive, vector-borne zoonotic disease that affects livestock, people, and livelihoods across Africa. To strengthen...